Why Convert to Islam Since it Supports Terrorism?

Violence and terrorism contradict Islam, and there is no place in Islam for it.

Why would anyone in their right mind do such a thing? Last time I checked religions promoted peace, right? So, why are non-Muslims baffled over this concept with Islam? … if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. (Quran 5: 32) It seems that there are waves and waves, enough to fill an ocean, of people out there&hellip;

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Last time I checked religions promoted peace, right? So, why are non-Muslims baffled over this concept with Islam?

… if any one slew a person – unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. (Quran 5: 32)

It seems that there are waves and waves, enough to fill an ocean, of people out there that have chosen to remain ignorant about Islam, because of extensive defamation of Islam and Muslims in the media, thinking that it is a credible source of pine guidance to a religion, when it isn’t.

If we open our eyes to what happens in the rest of the world, to see what happens outside of the bubbles we live in, we would see that there are terrorist attacks committed in the name of all religions, every day. However, it would be ignorant to think that those acts are based on what those religions teach!

Think about this for just a moment.

Huge portions of the non-Muslim world population see this equation to be true:

Arabs = Muslims = Terrorists. I find it ironic that they claim that this proves that Islam MUST be a religion of terror, but yet, the country with the largest population of Muslims is not even in the Middle East, nor an Arab nation!

Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, but we don’t see all this craziness going on there like what we see in the news about the Middle East every day. America alone has 2.75 MILLION Muslims according to a Pew Research Study. Therefore; if Islam was the root cause of all this violence and terrorism, don’t you think we should see a lot of that violence in the USA from Muslims?

In fact, prior to 9/11, the majority of US Terror attacks between 1980 and 2005 were NOT committed by Muslims. The real numbers according to the FBI Terrorism Database indicates that Muslims committed less terrorism, after the Communists, at only 6%, while their Jewish counterparts had 7%, and the majority stemmed from Latinos and Extreme Left Wing groups totaling around 66%.

In 2001 alone, the Christian terrorist group known as “Army of God” in the United States and Canada, attempted 17 murders, 383 death threats, 153 incidents of assault or battery, and 3 kidnappings against abortion providers, including 41 bombings, 173 arsons, 91 attempted bombings or arsons, 619 bomb threats, 1630 incidents of trespassing, 1264 incidents of vandalism, and 100 attacks with butyric acid.

Over the past 30 years, the majority of terrorist acts committed in the United States were committed by radical Christians, far-right militia groups, and white supremacists than any other groups.

It is a fact that non-Muslims, including Christians and Jews, Hindus and Buddhists, are committing atrocities and genocides across the world in the name of their religions in both the recent past, and currently. However, these atrocities are never mentioned in western new sources EVER, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t happen!

I don’t deny that there are crazy, ignorant people that claim they belong to my faith committing acts of violence in the name of my faith. However, this does not mean it is part of Islamic teachings. Violence and terrorism contradict Islam, and there is no place in Islam for it. It is an act of aggression in politics.

What does Islam say about religious tolerance, justice, and fighting non-Muslims?

The Quran contains the following verses, which are just a sampling of the numerous verses on these subjects.

On Religious Tolerance

In these verses, it dispels the common misconception that Muslims can force non-Muslims to accept Islam forcibly:

Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. (2:256)

So if they argue with you, say, “I have submitted myself to Allah [in Islam], and [so have] those who follow me.” And say to those who were given the Scripture and [to] the unlearned, “Have you submitted yourselves?” And if they submit [in Islam], they are rightly guided; but if they turn away – then upon you is only the [duty of] notification. And Allah is Seeing of [His] servants. (3:20)

Justice for Non-Muslims

Non-Muslims living in Muslim Lands are allowed to practice their faith, and religious laws, and are not bound to Islamic laws. The People of the Covenant had their own courts to settle their affairs, but if they desired so, they could resort to Islamic courts. Allah said to the Prophet:

So if they come to you, [O Muhammad], judge between them or turn away from them. And if you turn away from them – never will they harm you at all. And if you judge, judge between them with justice. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. (5:42)

Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just. (60:8)

When & When NOT to Fight Non-Muslims

Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory. (22:39)

These verses are often removed of its context, before and after, to make it appear as if it is saying something it doesn’t, but if read in full context, it is clear. It is talking about killing those who attack the Muslims first:

Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith. (2:190-91)

Except for those who take refuge with a people between yourselves and whom is a treaty or those who come to you, their hearts strained at [the prospect of] fighting you or fighting their own people… So if they remove themselves from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah has not made for you a cause [for fighting] against them. (4:90)

Killing innocent non-Muslims under Islamic rule was prohibited and the Prophet Muhammad emphasized the grave consequence of such action, and they were protected by the Muslims. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever killed a Mu’ahid (a person who is granted the pledge of protection by the Muslims) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of forty years (of traveling).” (Al-Bukhari)

How can there be a league, before Allah and His Messenger, with the Pagans, except those with whom ye made a treaty near the sacred Mosque? As long as these stand true to you, stand ye true to them: for Allah doth love the righteous. (9:7)

Skeptics say “oh, but there are verses that promote killing innocent people and non-Muslims”. I encourage all skeptics to learn about the verses that are commonly taken out of context, and twisted to appear as if they promote violence when they do not.

Final Thought

How can anyone expect a person to respect other faiths if they themselves are constantly insulting, degrading, and slandering the teachings of our faith?

About
Shannon Abulnasr

Shannon Abulnasr: An American convert sister who accepted Islam in 2006, and since has dedicated her efforts as an advocate supporting new Muslims after their shahadah. You can read her reversion story here and visit her website created for new Muslims and non-Muslims.